1. Essay : The candidates are expected to write a narrative or a descriptive essay on one of the given topics in about

300 words. It is intended to judge the candidate's knowledge of the topic, manner of presentation and also

competence in using correct English.

2. Letter writing : The candidates will be asked to write two types of letters, i.e. an informal letter to parents/ to a

friend and a formal letter – an official/ business letter or a letter to the editor of a newspaper on a given topic in

about 100 words. The candidate will be judged for content, manner of presentation and observance of the formal

requirements of letter writing.

3. Communication Skills : The candidates are expected to write on each of the following communicative activities (in

about 100-150 words). The purpose is to judge the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in different

cont1exts:

3.1 A report of an event or a function or official work done.

3.2 A notice or an appeal or a warning or a Press Release for the Media (Radio, T.V., Press).

3.3 (1) Dialogue writing : A dialogue between two persons or an appeal or a discussion on a topical issue.

(2) Speeches : formal speeches–welcome/send-off/inaugural speech etc.

3.4 An individual conversation with a group of people --

(1) at a Job Interview.

(2) at a Press Conference.

(3) with a delegation

(4) at a project site -- e.g.: (a) camps being constructed for cattle in a drought-affected area, (b) temporary

shelters being constructed for earthquake-affected people.

(5) at a place where some problematic situation has occurred -- e.g.: natural calamities like floods,

earthquakes etc.

3.5 A Group Discussion, a Meeting, a Teleconference on a topical issue.

4. Precis-writing : A passage of about 300 words will be given for precis-writing. The candidates are expected to

reduce the passage to one-third of its original length in their own words. The purpose of precis-writing is to judge

the candidate’s ability to comprehend, analyse and summarise the main ideas in the passage in their own words to

one-third of the given number of words therein.

5. Comprehension : A passage of about 300 words will be given with a set of questions based thereon. The purpose

of the activity is to assess the candidate's competence in understanding and answering questions based on the

passage

6. Paraphrase of a Prose Passage : A prose passage of about 300 words will be given to be paraphrased in order to

judge the candidate’s ability to understand, analyse and express clearly and in simple language the ideas in the

passage in his/her own words.

7. Grammar :

(1) Transformation of Sentences,

(2) Correction of Sentences,

(3) Use of Tenses,

(4) Punctuation,

(5) Word-formation,

(6) Use of Phrases.

GENERAL STUDIES – I

HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY

Standard : Degree. Total Marks : 150

Nature of Paper : Objective Type. Duration : 2 Hours

Note:

(1) The Nature and standard of questions in the paper will be such that a well educated person will be able to answer without any specialised study and its intention is to test candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects.

(2) It is expected from candidates to study the latest and recent developments and happenings pertaining to the topics/sub topics mentioned below.

1.1 History of Modern India (1818‐1857) particularly Maharashtra: Introduction of modern education ‐ Press,Railway, Post and Telegraph, Industries, Land reforms and Socio‐religious reforms – Its impact on society.

1.2 Establishment of British Rule in India: Wars against major Indian powers, Policy of subsidiary alliance,Doctrine of Lapse, Structure of British Raj upto 1857.

1.4 Social and economic awakening: Indian Nationalism ‐ 1857 revolt and after, Indian National Congress (1885‐ 1947), Azad Hind Sena, Role of important personalities, Role of Press and Education in social awakening inpre‐ independent India.

1.5 Emergence and growth of Indian nationalism : Social background, formation of National Associations,Peasant uprisings, foundation of Indian National Congress, the moderate phase, growth of extremism,Morley‐Minto reforms, Home Rule movement, Lucknow pact, Mont‐Ford reforms.

Sculpture) and Festivals. Impact of Literature on socio ‐ psychological development of Maharashtra: Bhakti, Dalit, Urban and Rural Literature.

2. GEOGRAPHY– WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MAHARASHTRA:

2.1 Physical Geography: Interior of the earth‐ composition and physical conditions. Factors controllinglandform development. Concept of geomorphic cycles‐ landforms associated with fluvial, arid, glacial, andcoastal cycle. Evolution and Geomorphology of the Indian Subcontinent‐ Major physiographic regions ‐Problems of floods ‐ Physiographic details of Maharashtra. Geomorphic features of Maharashtra. India'sstrategic location with reference to her neighbours, Indian Ocean Rim, Asia and the World.

3.1 Agroecology: Agroecology and its relevance to man, natural resources, their sustainable management andconservation. Physical and social environment as factors of crop distribution and production. Climaticelements as factors of crop growth. Environmental pollution and associated hazards to crops, animals andhumans.

3.2 Climate: Atmosphere‐ composition and structure. Solar radiation and heat balance. Weather elementstemperature,pressure, planetary and local winds, monsoon, air masses and fronts and cyclones.Mechanism of Indian monsoon, monsoon forecast, distribution of rainfall, cyclones, droughts and floods,and climatic regions. Distribution of Rainfall in Maharashtra ‐ spatial and temporal variability ‐ Agroclimaticzones of Maharashtra ‐ Problem of Drought and scarcity, DPAP (Draught Prone Area Programme) –Waterrequirement in Agricultural, Industrial and Domestic Sectors. Problem of Drinking Water. Cropping pattern in different agro‐climatic zones of Maharashtra. Impact of high‐yielding and short‐duration varieties on

shifts in cropping pattern. Concepts of multiple cropping, and inter‐cropping and their importance. Modern concepts of organic farming, sustainable agriculture.

3.3 Soils: Soil‐physical, chemical and biological properties. Processes and factors of soil formation. Mineral and organic constituents of soil and their role in maintaining soil productivity. Essential plant nutrients and other beneficial elements in soils and plants Problem soils and their reclamation methods. Problems of soil erosion and degradation in Maharashtra. Soil conservation planning on watershed basis. Erosion and runoff

3.4 Water management: Present scenario, Methods and importance of water conservation. Water quality standards. Interlinking of rivers in India. Conventional and non‐conventional methods of rainwater harvesting. Groundwater management‐ technical and social aspects, Methods of artificial groundwater recharge. Concept of watershed and watershed management. Dryland agriculture and its problems. Wateruse efficiency in relation to crop production, ways and means of reducing run‐off losses of irrigation water. Drip and sprinkler irrigation. Drainage of water‐logged soils, effect of industrial effluents on soil and water.

GENERAL STUDIES– II

INDIAN CONSTITUTION AND INDIAN POLITICS

(WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MAHARASHTRA) AND LAW:

Standard: Degree. Total Marks:150

Nature of Paper : Objective Type. Duration : 2 Hours

Note:

(1) The Nature and standard of questions in the paper will be such that a well educated person will be able to answer without any specialised study and its intention is to test candidate’s general

awareness of a variety of subjects.

(2) It is expected from candidates to study the latest and recent developments and happenings

4. District Administration ‐ Evolution of District Administration, Changing role of the District Collector: Law and Order, Relationship with functional Departments. District Administration and the Panchayati Raj Institutions. Role and Functions of the Sub‐Divisional Officer.

5. Rural and Urban Local Government: Significance of 73rd and 74th Amendment to the Constitution. Empowerment of local government and their role in development.

7. Parties and Pressure Groups: Nature of Party system ‐ Role of National Parties ‐ Ideology, organisation and electoral performance ‐ Political Parties and their Social Bases. Regionalism‐ Rise of Regional Parties; Ideology, Organisation and electoral performance ‐ Major Pressure Groups and Interest Groups in Maharashtra ‐ their Role and impact on Policy making. Programmes of Social Welfare in Maharashtra : Women and Children; Labour; and Youth. Non‐Government Organizations and their Role in Social Welfare.

8. The Media: Print and Electronic Media ‐ its impact on policy making, shaping of the public opinion and educating the people. Press Council of India. Code of conduct for Mass media in a secular democracy like India. The portrayal of women in the main stream mass media: Facts and Norms. Freedom of speech and expression, and limitation thereof.

13. Social Welfare and Social Legislation: Social Legislation as an instrument of Social Change; Human Rights. Protection to Women under: The Constitution of India and Criminal Law (CrPC), Domestic Violance (Prevention) Act, The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and The Right of Information Act, 2005.

14.Public Services : All India Services, Constitutional position, role and functions. Central Services: nature and functions. Union Public Service Commission. State Services and the Maharashtra State Public Service Commission. Training in the changing context of governance‐ YASHDA, Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy of Administration, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy.

15. Control over Public Expenditure: Parliamentary Control, Estimates Committee, Public Accounts

Committee, Committee on Public Undertakings, Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, Role of the Finance Ministry in monetary and Fiscal policy, Composition and function of

Accountant General, Maharashra.

GENERAL STUDIES– III

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (HRD) AND HUMAN RIGHTS:

Standard : Degree. Total Marks : 150

Nature of Paper : Objective Type. Duration : 2 Hours

Note:

(1) The Nature and standard of questions in the paper will be such that a well educated person will be able to answer without any specialised study and its intention is to test candidate’s general

awareness of a variety of subjects.

(2) It is expected from candidates to study the latest and recent developments and happenings

education etc.) ‐ Government Policies, welfare schemes and programs ‐ Role of international

agencies, Voluntary Organisations Community resources. People participation in their Welfare.

2.3 Women Development ‐ problems and issues (Gender inequality, Violence against women, Girl child Infanticide/Foeticide, Empowerment of Women etc.)‐ Government Policy, schemes and programs for development / welfare and empowerment ‐ Role of international agencies, Voluntary

Organisations and Community resources. People’s participation in their development. AASHA.

1.1 Indian Economy ‐ Challenges in Indian Economy ‐ Poverty, Unemployment and Regional

Imbalances. Planning: Process ‐ Types ‐ Review of India's First to Tenth Five year Plans. Evaluation.

Social and Economic Indicators of Development. State and Local Level Planning. Decentralisation ‐

73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.

1.2 Urban and Rural Infrastructure Development: Need and Significance. Growth and Development of Social and economic infrastructure such as Energy, Water supply and sanitation, Housing, Transport (Road, Ports etc.), Communications (Post and Telegraphs, Telecommunication), Network of Radio, TV, Internet. Crises, problems related to Infrastructure in India. Policy alternatives‐ Public‐Private Sector Partnership (PPP). FDI and Infrastructure Development‐ Privatisation of infrastructure development. Centre and State Government Policies for Infrastructure Development. Transport and Housing (Urban and Rural). Problems ‐ Centre and State Government initiatives and

programmes. BOLT and BOT schemes.

1.3 Industry: Need ‐ importance and role of industries in economic and social development, Growth

Pattern, Structure of Large‐scale Industries in India with special reference to Maharashtra. Smallscale, Cottage and Village industries, their problems and prospects. Impact of liberalisation,

privatisation and globalisation on SSIs. Maharashtra’s Policy, measures and programmes for

development, promotion and monitoring of SSIs. Export Potential of Small scale and cottage

industries. SEZs, SPVs.

1.4 Co‐operation: Concept, Meaning, Objectives, Old and new principles of co‐operation. Growth and diversification of co‐operative movement in India. Co‐operative institution in Maharashtra – types, role, importance and diversification. State policy and Co‐operative sector ‐ Legislation, Supervision, Audit and Aid. Problems of Co‐operatives in Maharashtra. Prospects of Cooperatives in the era of global competition. Review, reforms and prospects of cooperative movement in Maharashtra –Alternative policy initiatives in agricultural marketing‐ Employment Guarantee Scheme.

1.5 Economic reforms: Background, Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation – (concept, meaning, scope and limitations). Economic Reforms at Centre and State Level. WTO Regime ‐ Provisions and its implications and impact on Indian Economy, issues and problems.